First Kentucky Oaks Day was a Memorable One
There’s a first time for everything. Remembering “firsts”
can be thrilling and anxiety provoking, sometimes simultaneously. Most
remarkable may be your first:
- Date
- A second, third or fourth date that lead to an “event” requiring far less clothing
- Car/Truck
- Shortly thereafter motor vehicle accident
- Job or firing
- Bet cashed that required an IRS signing
I could go on and on, but I don’t want summon memories from the so distant past that I miss my point, which is…
Oh yes, the Oaks card at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2012. It was my first trip to Churchill Downs on two levels – fan and media member. As a fan I was just happy to have a place to sit myself down, crack open my past performance and watch all the rituals that started and ended each race. As a media member, I had privileges and access beyond my wildest dreams. (Said seat had electrical outlets for my computer, a complimentary program and just happen to be resting six floors above the track and on the finish line.)
Goosebumps you ask, sure. When the National Anthem was played to open the day, I couldn’t help but think of my uncle, Peter Foss. A retired Army colonel who loved God, family, country and Thoroughbred horse racing, Pete was a man we all hope to be. He graduated from West Point, served his country in Korea and Vietnam and left such a lasting impression on the men he lead that many kept writing to him more than 40 years after their discharge.
Pete and I spent a weekend away at Saratoga for 10 straight years. We talked about going to the Kentucky Derby one day, but cancer claimed his life five years ago on Belmont Stakes day. But not before he gave me the winning advice of playing a Rags to Riches/Curlin exacta box.
The day itself charmingly met my expectations. Churchill is every bit the elegant track it looks like on television. The racing was top notch, seeming to me that anyone and everyone owning or training a decent horse pointed to Churchill Downs on the first weekend in May.
The crowd was beautiful, especially from a distance. Kidding, but certainly many fans had their drink on early in the day.
As my first “media member” experience, our digs where akin to a dignified fraternal club – free food and drink, enough tellers to handle the room and great seats in an air-conditioned room bereft with a television bank that would make NASA scientist envious. My access was only limited buy how far I wanted to walk.
Finally the friendship found with mates from Horse Racing Nation – Mark Midland, Brian Zipse, Jasen Mangrum and Kevin Kerstein – was alone worth the trip. It’s great to find others who share my passion for following and betting on Thoroughbreds.
Enough telling you about my experiences click on the video link for a full flavor of Kentucky Oaks Day 2012.